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Festivals, Groups Keep Boerne's German Influences Alive
The locale may be Texas‚ but the feeling is all German‚ at least every Father’s Day weekend when the annual Boerne Berges Fest pays homage to the city’s German heritage.
“Berges” means “Festival of the Hills‚” according to the Fest’s past president‚ Blake McCarter‚ commenting on the 36-year-old festival’s beginnings. “We try to highlight traditional German activities and food‚ and we always bring out a big crowd.”
Small wonder that all things German remain popular in Boerne: To a degree‚ the... Read More »
Boerne Village Band is the Oldest German Band Outside of Germany
When Germans migrated to Boerne during the mid-1800s‚ they brought their love of music with them. They also brought their musical skills and wasted little time re-creating the sounds of their home country.
And so began the Boerne Village Band‚ which was launched in 1860 by Dr. Karl Kienger. Other immigrants and their families joined in‚ including Ottmar von Behr‚ whose descendant‚ Dr. Kenneth Herbst‚ is the band’s current leader.
Dr. Herbst‚ a veterinarian‚ began playing trumpet with the band... Read More »
Majestic Ranch Arts Foundation Nurtures Budding Artists
Secluded getaways for artists often are associated with the East or West coasts. For nearly 20 years‚ however‚ professional artists have had a Hill Country haven‚ thanks to the Majestic Ranch Arts Foundation. The foundation‚ originally created to preserve the Majestic Theater in downtown San Antonio‚ set its sights on establishing an arts community on a 500-acre ranch in Boerne.
Initially reserved for artists and scholars visiting the area‚ the foundation opened the scenic property to area... Read More »
Cinnamon Creek Tropical Butterfly Garden Flutters With Activity
The hushed fluttering of hundreds of wings provides the soundtrack for the Cinnamon Creek Tropical Butterfly Garden‚ a Hill Country treasure. The atmosphere is ethereal – “like God is here‚” says Peggy Smith‚ who started the project in 2003 with her husband‚ Clyde. The garden is a gift to the community‚ though the Smiths wish it weren’t such a secret one. A busy day sees 50 patrons‚ while some days no one visits the site.
Tropical species are imported from a conservation ranch in Central... Read More »
